Christmas in Hollywood (54 images)

Yes, Christmas is strange out here. The big fake Christmas trees covered in fake snow, next to the palm trees in the brutal hot sun, are a bit unsettling. And each year on Hollywood Boulevard there's L. Rod Hubbard's Winter Wonderland, the elaborate Scientology Christmas village thing, although the relationship of Scientology to Christian tradition is a bit hazy. You get Santa and toy soldiers but no Jesus in the manger. The scrim of White Christmas in Hollywood is a bit odd, but it's there...more »

Yes, Christmas is strange out here. The big fake Christmas trees covered in fake snow, next to the palm trees in the brutal hot sun, are a bit unsettling. And each year on Hollywood Boulevard there's L. Rod Hubbard's Winter Wonderland, the elaborate Scientology Christmas village thing, although the relationship of Scientology to Christian tradition is a bit hazy. You get Santa and toy soldiers but no Jesus in the manger. The scrim of White Christmas in Hollywood is a bit odd, but it's there every year. Of course the theaters and historic buildings are all decked out, and the shop windows are full of sexy Christmas mannequins, and there's Elvis too. Rodeo Drive at Christmas time just reeks of new money of course. It's all surreal, and fun in its way. Look up the verse to Irving Berlin's White Christmas. He found Christmas here unsettling.« less